An 8-week study on spiritual warfare
Wednesdays at 6:30pm beginning March 3rd
Beneath our tangible landscape lurks an invisible spiritual realm where unseen battles rage. It’s real. And it’s dangerous. If you’re prepared to remove the blinders and gaze into this unseen world, Chip Ingram is ready to take you there. The cosmic conflict exploding all around us will have eternal implications, for us and those we love. Pastor Dave will lead this eight-part series to help prepare you for the spiritual battle with the enemy of your soul— and win! You’ll learn how to clothe yourself with God’s “spiritual armor” so you can be confident of your certain victory over the scheming enemy.
This class will meet in FLC 203/204.

Session 1: What is the invisible war?
Session 2: Who are we fighting?
Session 3: Four keys to spiritual victory?
Session 4: How to prepare yourself for spiritual battle?
Session 5: Engaging the enemy
Session 6: Winning the war
Session 7: The Christian’s secret weapon
Session 8: The ministry of deliverance

Please join us in Christian mission by praying with us and for us during our mission trip. Three of us (Darlene Johnson, Nancy Dantzler, and Pastor Dave) will leave at 5pm on Wednesday, February 14th to drive down to Manos Juntas Clinic in Rio Bravo, Mexico. Over the past twenty years, Christian volunteers built this clinic and the Larry Acton Dormitory to help our needy neighbors.

Six additional missioners (Dr. Joe Leverett, Dr. Steve Carter, Riva Snell, Reta Bennett, Freddy Perez, and Rachel Garibay) will leave @ 8am on Thursday, February 25th to drive down to Dallas, Fort Worth Airport. They will fly from DFW to McAllen, where we will meet them. The nine of us will be joined by Dr. Elias Lara from MJM at the Pharr border crossing. Together we will spend the next three days ministering to the sick, children, MJM staff, and whosoever the Lord sends our way.

Rio Bravo, Mexico is near the southeastern Texas border between Reynosa and Padre Island. It is a semi-urban center famous for its 60 multi-national factories. These factories employ a large percentage of the residents of Rio Bravo. The factories produce a large variety of goods, some of which are used nationally and most exported internationally. The area experiences a large influx of migrants, from Mexico's interior, seeking employment. Others have migrated to Rio Bravo with the hope of crossing the border into the US. Most of Rio Bravo's residents are young, unskilled, poorly educated, and impoverished. MJM is the only medical facility in Rio Bravo, serving around 100,000 people.

• We go to live out the Great Commandment!
• We go to answer the Great Commission!
• We go to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
• We go because you sent us!
• We go to be a blessing!

Thanks to Circle One, Judy Davis, and Debbie Valerio for the contributions to Circle of Care Child SHARE (emergency foster care) and the United Methodist Children’s Home in Talequah. To date twenty pairs of pajamas have been sent to Child SHARE, and six blankets, three sets of sheets, and a cuddly afghan have been sent to the Children’s Home.

Because of the large number of babies born to drug-addicted women, there is a current significant need for preemie diapers and sleepers. If you have some to contribute, please leave them with Arcelia in the church office.

Circle of Care is comprised of the Boys’ Ranch at Gore, Pearl’s Hope (for homeless mothers and children), Holsinger Home for Children, Frances Willard Ministry Center, and Beal Independent Living as well as the Children’s Home and Child SHARE.

Thank you for keeping in your hearts the children who reside in our Oklahoma Methodist Conference residential homes and the people who care for them and love them.

Thank you!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV)

Our discussion at Early Watch Prayer this morning focused upon perseverance. The dictionary definition speaks of a “steady course of action” and theologically it speaks of “faithfulness to God through the power of grace to reach the goal of salvation.” We spent a few minutes sharing and celebrating what God has accomplished in our lives as a result of participating in the Early Watch Prayer Meetings. All of us feel closer to God. All of us have experienced significant spiritual growth. All of us feel energized and supported by the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and the fellowship with other Christians.

We marveled at the difference five months of consistent dedication and discipline to prayer has made in our attitudes, actions, and relationships. It was God’s prompting that led me to start the Early Watch Prayer Meetings and God has been faithful to encourage and strengthen several of us who have committed to making this a fixed appointment with God.

I want to encourage all to develop a steady course of action in faith development and ministry. We would be honored if you would join us for Early Watch Prayer. If an hour a day from 5am-6am in the morning is too difficult, I want to encourage you to set aside fifteen minutes at home, school, or work every day! Dedicate this time for Devotional Readings, Bible Reading, Praise, and Prayer. Make up your mind to become faithful to God through the power of grace to reach the goal of salvation. “What is the goal of salvation?” you might ask. Firstly, it is to know God, love God, and walk with God. Perseverance will allow you to grow deeper in your faith and closer in your walk with God. Secondly, it will develop the character of Christ in you. God is determined to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Perseverance will reveal and accomplish God’s will in our lives (Romans 12:1-2). Thirdly, it will improve your effectiveness as a servant of God. God wants to touch and bless the lives of others through us. We can become the hands and feet of Christ as we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and use us each and every day.

None of us is much in ourselves, but yoked to Christ we are a mighty force for good in this world. Change is difficult and usually happens slowly, but perseverance in prayer will guarantee that God directed change happens in us and through us. God longs to effect transformation, facilitate spiritual growth, and shower blessings upon us. God’s purpose can only be achieved however if we are willing, available, and obedient.

Be encouraged!
Pastor Dave